Side airbag device, method for operation thereof and vehicle seat therewith

ABSTRACT

A side air bag system has at least one inflatable air bag, a supporting strap which can be tensioned in the area of the inflated air bag, as well as operating devices for tensioning the supporting strap and inflating the air bag into their protective positions. The supporting strap is coupled with the air bag such that the tensioning supporting strap pushes the air bag out of its folded position into its protective position. An operating process for a side air bag system has at least one inflatable air bag, a supporting strap which can be tensioned in the area of the inflated air bag and operating devices for inflating the air bag and tensioning the supporting strap into their final protective positions, in which case the unfolding of the air bag from a folded condition into an at least essentially unfolded condition is at least supported by the tensioning of the supporting strap.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a side air bag system and, more particularly toa side air bag system having at least one inflatable air bag, asupporting strap which can be tensioned in the area of the inflated airbag sa well as operating devices for tensioning the supporting strap andinflating the air bag into its protective position. Furthermore, theinvention relates to an operating process for such a side air bagsystem. In addition, the invention includes a motor vehicle seatequipped with such a side air bag system.

Nowadays, air bag systems are part of the standard equipment of manymotor vehicles and offer their occupants a situation-related protection.For this purpose, air bag systems are used not only in front of theoccupants for protecting the head which, in the event of a collision, isaccelerated toward the front, but air bag systems are also providedlaterally of the occupants in order to protect the occupants' head andthorax in the event of a side impact.

German Patent Document DE 44 36 139 C1 describes a passenger seat whichhas a side impact protection. Such a passenger seat, particularly formotor vehicles, has, at least on one of its sides, a laterallyintegrated side air bag which, when it is triggered, emerges from theseat contour, can be inflated and, as a result, laterally bridges thespace between the seat surface and the backrest. The latter isconstructed as a hose which is shortened in its longitudinal course asthe result of the enlargement of the diameter connected with theinflating and, in its installed position, is fastened with its one endin the forward area of the seat surface and with its other end in theupper area of the backrest. In this case, it is not ensured that theside air bag can unfold in a perfect manner during the inflating and isnot clamped in between an occupant and the vehicle body or the seat.

From German Patent Document DE 195 42 436 A1, an air bag system for amotor vehicle is known which has at least one air bag which can befilled with gas, at least one gas storage device for filling the airbag, and a holding device by means of which the air bag is held along aframe part of the vehicle body in the passenger compartment. Asupporting strap is provided on the air bag which forms a lateralsupport for the filled air bag. The supporting strap, which is foldedtogether with the air bag, after the triggering of the air bag, istensioned simultaneously with its filling and extends along the outerside of the filled air bag, particularly diagonally thereto or to avehicle window. Although the supporting strap achieves an additionalguidance for the air bag when it is moved out of the covering, it cannotbe excluded in this case that the air bag may catch between thesupporting strap, the vehicle body parts and occupants' extremities ormay be clamped between them.

The two above-described known air bag systems cannot ensure theprotective effect of the air bag because the air bag may be hinderedduring the inflating and can therefore possibly not assume its intendedshape and position, whereby the safety effect of such a side air bag, aswell as of a thorax air bag or head air bag, is restricted.

It is an object of the invention to provide a side air bag system whichoffers a greater safety to an occupant. This object is achieved by meansof a side air bag system having at least one inflatable air bag, asupporting strap which can be tensioned in the area of the inflated airbag as well as operating devices for tensioning the supporting strap andinflating the air bag into its protective position. The tensioningsupporting strap is coupled with the air bag such that the tensioningsupporting strap pushes the air bag out of its folded position into itsprotective position.

Furthermore, the invention has the object of providing an operatingprocess for a side air bag system, by means of which the latter providesan increased protection for the occupant. For achieving this object, theinvention provides an operating process for a side air bag systemcharacterized in that the unfolding of the air bag from a foldedcondition into an at least essentially unfolded condition is at leastsupported by the tensioning of the supporting strap.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a motor vehicle seatwith a side air bag system which increases an occupant's safety.According to the invention, this object is achieved by means of a motorvehicle seat having a seat element and a backrest element as well as aside air bag system which has at least one air bag which can be inflatedby means of operating devices and which, in its folded condition, isarranged in an, in particular, angular accommodation space which extendson one side of the motor vehicle seat over the seat element and thebackrest element. In the inflated condition, the air bag extends in aprotective position between the seat element and the backrest element.In this case, a supporting strap is arranged along the air bag, whichsupporting strap can be tensioned in the area of the inflated air bagand is coupled with it such that the tensioning supporting strap pushesthe air bag into its protective position. The supporting strap togetherwith the folded air bag is arranged in the optionally angularaccommodation space. The operating devices during the triggering of theair bag are designed for acting upon the supporting strap in order totension it into the protective position.

A side air bag system according to the invention therefore contains atleast one inflatable air bag, a supporting strap which can be tensionedin the area of the inflated air bag and operating devices for inflatingthe air bag and tensioning the supporting strap in its protectivepositions. The supporting strap is coupled with the air bag such thatthe tensioning supporting strap pushes the air bag out of its foldedposition into its protective position.

By means of the tensioning of the supporting strap, in addition to itsown endeavors caused by the inflating, the air bag is reliably pushedinto its protective position. As the result of the supporting strap, theair bag can reach its protective position also through the smallestspaces without being clamped in before contacting an occupant with avehicle part between the occupant and the vehicle part.

Because of the fact that, according to the invention, the supportingstrap extends along the cushion-type or hose-type air bag when it isinflated, the latter is advantageously reinforced, which has the resultthat it can absorb higher forces. This also has the advantage that thecombination of the air bag and the supporting strap, on the one hand,provides a firm hold for occupants, which saves the occupants fromimpacting the vehicle body, and, on the other hand, forms an effectiveobstacle for objects penetrating into the interior of the vehicle.

By means of the invention, it is therefore, on the one hand, ensuredthat the air bag can reliably take up its protective position, in whichits inflated gas bag according to its purpose absorbs kinetic energyfrom occupants and, on the other hand, an effective barrier is createdwhich carries out an additional protective function in that it preventsthe occupant from sliding "against" the accident. The tensioning of thesupporting strap also advantageously provides the occupant with acorrect momentum or thrust toward the interior of the vehicle, thus awayfrom the accident. It is also advantageous that, by means of thesupporting strap, a further reinforcement of the vehicle body isachieved against the effects of the accident, the possible deforming ofthe tensioned supporting strap itself having an energy-consuming effect.

Preferably, the air bag is constructed in the manner of a cushion inorder to extend in its protective position between a backrest elementand a seat element of a seat. The air bag may also be constructed is theform of a hose, the supporting strap then being arranged along thehose-type air bag and, in the course of its length, being coupled withit such that the tensioning supporting strap pushes the air bag into itsprotective position.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the air baghas such an at least essentially triangular shape that, in theprotective position of the air bag, a first side matches the shape alonga backrest element and a second side matches the shape along a seatelement of a seat, and the third side extends between the backrestelement and the seat element of the seat.

In the case of a side air bag system according to the invention, thetensioned supporting strap and the inflated air bag or one side thereofextend at least approximately in parallel with respect to one another.

According to another preferred further development of the side air bagsystem according to the invention, the supporting strap has an end areafacing the operating devices in which it is coupled with the operatingdevices and which can be displaced relative to the corresponding endarea of the air bag which is stationary with respect to the operatingdevices, and an end area facing away from the operating devices in whichit is stationary relative to the corresponding end area of the air bag.In other words, the supporting strap is fixed on one end and, on theother end assigned to the operating devices, is coupled with theoperating devices. This has the advantage that only one end of thesupporting strap has to be pulled in order to tension it, and, as aresult, only a minimal expenditure is required for the operatingdevices. For the tensioning of the supporting strap, the operatingdevices can be constructed analogously to belt tightening devices andair bag systems, so that the respective previous technology,particularly from the present applicant's earlier applications, is partof the disclosure content of these documents. In particular, these arethe older German Patent Applications DE 196 41 224.2, DE 197 03 945.6,DE 197 07 998.9, DE 197 09 257.8, DE 197 12 782.7, DE 197 15 463.8, DE197 26 878.1, DE 197 33 896.8 and DE 197 38 727.6.

It is another advantageous embodiment of the side air bag systemaccording to the invention that the supporting strap is situated in theinterior of the air bag or in a guide assigned to its exterior cover. Asa result, it is ensured that an occupant cannot strike against thesupporting strap itself but the latter is always surrounded by thefilled and therefore damping gas bag of the air bag. However, as analternative, it may also be provided that the supporting strap isconnected, at least in areas, with the outer cover of the air bag or isconstructed integrally therewith. As a result, particularly when thesupporting strap is arranged on the side of the air bag facing away froman occupant, the whole inflated air bag is situated in a damping mannerbetween an occupant and the supporting strap.

When the operating devices are designed for tensioning the supportingstrap at least partially before the inflating of the air bag is started,as may be provided in another embodiment of the invention, the advantageis achieved that the air bag is not yet inflated and therefore foldedtogether relatively thinly as long as it is moved into its protectiveposition by the tensioning supporting strap. In this condition, the airbag can be pulled without any problem even through very small spaces. Ifthe air bag is inflated during this operation, it presses the occupantvirtually back onto his seat, which can be achieved by the fact that theoperating devices are designed for inflating the air bag during thetensioning of the supporting strap and in particular startingsimultaneously therewith.

For this purpose, it is particularly provided according to the inventionthat a bracing piston is provided for operating the tensionablesupporting strap in, for example, a propelling charge container with twodifferent pressure levels. In general terms, this embodiment of theinvention relates to the fact that the operating or tensioning of thetensionable supporting strap is carried out by means of a first pressurelevel, and the inflating of the air bag takes place by means of a secondpressure level. For example, a high-pressure level of approximately 300bar in a high-pressure chamber can be used for tensioning the supportingstrap and a lower pressure level of approximately 100 bar in alow-pressure chamber can be used for inflating the air bag, which bothcan be triggered by means of a single electric ignition. Pressurechambers are provided corresponding to the two different pressurelevels, which pressure chambers can be blocked with respect to oneanother by at least one valve and preferably different valves. In thiscase, the operation according to the invention is, for example, asfollows: During the bracing of, for example, a thorax bag, for theeffective movement of the piston, for example, approximately 300 bar arerequired, for example, from a pyrotechnical propelling charge container.In contrast, for the inflating of the bag, no more than, for example,100 bar may be used so that no more than 1 bar will occur in the bag.

Within the scope of the invention, the above-explained embodiment can beachieved, for example, by a conventional particularly electricpropelling charge container whose ignition ignites advantageouslythrough corresponding holes from the high-pressure chamber through tothe low-pressure chamber and there ignites a, for example, pyrotechnicalgas generator. In the case of such an embodiment, such ignition holesmust then be closed immediately so that the filling gas for the air baggenerated by means of the gas generator is supplied only to the air bagand is not lost for its filling in that it escapes into the cylinder forguiding the piston for tensioning the supporting or tensioning rope.

The operating devices of a side air bag system according to theinvention preferably contain a tensioning device for the supportingstrap and a filling device for the air bag, thus two separate energyaccumulators, the tensioning device and the filling device preferablybeing coupled and particularly preferably mutually interacting. Withinthe scope of the invention, this is preferably further developed in thatthe filling device contains a gas generator and/or a gas storage device.As an alternative or in addition, the tensioning device may contain anenergy accumulator and driving devices which can be acted upon by it,for the tensioning of the supporting strap, and the driving devices mayparticularly contain a preferably releasable return stop andparticularly preferably a return stop which, with respect to thetriggering of the operating devices, automatically releases in atime-delayed manner. The latter prevents that a tension of thesupporting strap which has once been achieved loosens because of a highcounterforce, and then that the air bag with the supporting strap locksan occupant in a vehicle involved in an accident.

By means of one of the preferred combinations according to which the gasgenerator and/or the gas storage device of the filling device is atleast one portion of the energy accumulator of the tensioning device, orthe energy accumulator of the tensioning device is at least one portionof the gas generator and/or of the gas storage device of the fillingdevice, a particularly economical and simple construction of theoperating devices is achieved.

It may also preferably be provided that the air bag is connected in agas-tight manner with the gas generator and/or the gas storage device,and the supporting strap is permanently coupled to the driving devicesor, in particular, can be automatically coupled by their triggering.Particularly the latter permits, in the case of a seat which can beadjusted, for example, in its height, inclination, and/or in thelongitudinal direction of the vehicle, the mounting of the operatingdevices outside the adjustable seat parts, for example, below the seat.In a further development of the invention of the latter, the drivingdevices may contain a piston which can be acted upon by the energyaccumulator, to which piston the supporting strap is coupled or, inparticular, can be automatically coupled by the triggering of thedriving devices.

Further embodiments of a side air bag system according to the inventionmay comprise that a pyrotechnical activation and particularly anignition of the gas generator/gas storage device of the filling deviceand/or of the energy accumulator of the tensioning devices is provided,and/or at least one of these components is designed in a multi-stagemanner.

It is also preferred that the gas generator and/or the gas storagedevice of the filling device and/or the energy accumulator of thetensioning device or optionally at least a first stage of the gasgenerator and/or of the gas storage device of the filling device and/orof the energy accumulator of the tensioning device or optionally theirpyrotechnical activation or ignition in the case of a side air bagsystem according to the invention, can be electrically triggered and, inparticular, ignited. This can be further developed in that at least asecond stage of the gas generator and/or of the gas storage device ofthe filling device and/or of the energy accumulator of the tensioningdevice or optionally their pyrotechnical activation or ignition can bemechanically triggered and, in particular, ignited.

For increasing the reliability at least of the mechanical parts of theelectric and/or mechanical triggering and particularly of the ignition,these modules may be provided twice and can be acted upon simultaneouslybut independently of one another.

When, on its end assigned to the operating devices, the supporting strapis formed by a material which is resistant to the operating temperaturesin the operating devices, advantageously particularly effectiveoperating devices can be used, in which, however, temperatures occurwhich the remaining supporting strap would not withstand.

Preferably, the supporting strap has, at least in the area of theinflated air bag, that is, when it is in its protective position, awidth which is significantly larger than its thickness, and the width ofthe supporting strap is, in particular, in the range of approximately10% to approximately 90%, preferably of approximately 20% toapproximately 60%, and particularly preferably of approximately 25% toapproximately 40% of the diameter of the air bag.

If, as according to another preferred further development of theinvention, in the case of a side air bag arrangement, two air bags arecoupled with pertaining supporting straps for a use on both sides of anoccupant, and particularly can be operated by way of common operatingdevices, in the event of an accident, an occupant is protected on bothsides and, in addition, is securely held on his seat. The commonoperating devices of both air bags with pertaining supporting strapspermit a low-cost as well as space-saving and weight-saving design.

Although reference was made above at points to the combination of theside air bag system according to the invention with a motor vehicle,this is not absolutely necessary. Within the scope of the invention, theair bag together with the supporting strap of the side air bag systemmay also be appropriately accommodated in body parts of the vehicle, forexample, in the area of the A-column and the adjoining roof strutpointing toward the rear with respect to the normal driving direction;the B-column and the possibly adjoining roof strut pointing toward therear; the B-column and preceding roof struts pointing toward the front,possibly the C-column and preceding roof struts pointing toward thefront, the dashboard holding device and lateral vehicle body parts,etc., and may be inflated and tensioned. If in this case, as in the caseof the accommodation in a motor vehicle seat which will be discussed ingreater detail in the following, the air bag and the supporting strap,before their triggering, are arranged in an angular accommodation spaceand are designed such that, in their protective position, they span theangle formed by the angular accommodation space, a protective positionof the air bag and the supporting strap can be optimally defined aheadof time according to the vehicle model, shape and size.

The operating process also created by the present invention relates to aside air bag system with at least one inflatable air bag, a supportingstrap which can be tensioned in the area of the inflated air bag andoperating devices for inflating the air bag and tensioning thesupporting strap into their final protective positions. According to theprocess, it is provided in this case, while achieving the objectsindicated above and with the advantages indicated with respect to thesystem variants, that the unfolding of the air bag from a foldedcondition into an at least essentially unfolded condition is at leastsupported by the tensioning of the supporting strap. The unfolding mayat least partially be a stretching operation.

Analogously to the system variants, it can further be implemented asprovided in the case of the operating process according to the inventionthat the stretching of the supporting strap is first started before theinflating of the air bag begins. As an alternative, which also hasadvantages, the stretching of the supporting strap and the inflating ofthe air bag can also be started at least essentially simultaneouslyafter the triggering of the side air bag system.

Preferably a further development of the operating process according tothe invention provides that, by means of the triggering of the side airbag system, a filling gas for the air bag is generated or released anddriving devices are acted upon to which the supporting strap isconnected.

Within the scope of the invention, a motor vehicle seat is also providedwhich contains a seat element and a backrest element as well as a sideair bag system which has at least one particularly cushion-type orhose-type air bag which can be inflated by means of operating devicesand which, in its folded condition, is arranged in an angularaccommodation space which extends on one side of the motor vehicle seatover the seat element and the backrest element and which, in theinflated condition, extends in a protective position partiallydiagonally between the seat element and the backrest element. In thiscase, it is provided that a supporting strap is arranged along the airbag, which supporting strap can be tensioned in the area of the inflatedair bag and, in the course of its length, is coupled with it such thatthe tensioning supporting strap pushes the air bag into its protectiveposition, that the supporting strap together with the folded air bag isarranged in the angular accommodation space, and that the operatingdevices during the triggering of the air bag are designed for actingupon the supporting strap in order to tension it into the protectiveposition.

In the case of a motor vehicle seat according to the invention, beforetheir triggering, the air bag and the supporting strap can be situatedbehind a panelling or tear seams in the accommodation space.

A preferred further development of the motor vehicle according to theinvention consists of the fact that the operating devices are arrangedbelow the seat element in the driving direction or particularlytransversely thereto, and, in particular, are reinforcingly connectedwith the seat structure and/or the vehicle structure. Particularly thearrangement of the operating devices below the seat element transverselyto the driving direction is a preferred variant which can also beawarded a separate inventive significance, optionally in the case of aseat or a frame structure of the motor vehicle with operating devices ofa side air bag system or a use of a transverse spar of a frame structureof the motor vehicle for receiving the operating devices of a side airbag system. Specifically in the area of the seat, this constructionachieves a reinforcement with respect to a side impact, which by the useof this technology in addition to the conventional existing structureincreases the safety or can be used for structural savings in the caseof the normally existing structure while maintaining the safetystandard.

The advantages of another embodiment of the motor vehicle seat accordingto the invention were explained above, in which one air bag respectivelywith its assigned supporting strap is provided on both sides of theseat, and in which preferably both air bag and supporting straps can beacted upon by common operating devices.

Height, inclination and/or longitudinal adjusting possibilities in thecase of a seat can be combined with operating devices arranged outsidethe adjustable seat components without any reduction of comfort andfunctions, if the supporting strap and/or the air bag is coupled by wayof compensating devices to the operating devices or can be coupled whenthe side air bag system is triggered, which was also discussed inconjunction with the side air bag system according to the invention.

A person skilled in the art can easily find additional objects,characteristics and advantages in the present documents, includingcombinations with characteristics from the applicant's above-indicatedearlier patent applications. In particular, advantageous and preferredfurther developments of the invention and their above-describedembodiments are found in the respective dependent claims and theircombinations.

In the following, the invention will be described with reference to thedrawing by means of concrete embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic lateral view of a construction of a motor vehicleseat with a side air bag system, the folded air bag and the supportingstrap being situated in an accommodation space, whose covering wasremoved;

FIG. 2 is a schematic lateral view of the construction of the motorvehicle seat with a side air bag arrangement of FIG. 1, in which case,after its triggering, the inflated air bag and the tensioned supportingstrap have emerged from the accommodation space and are in theirprotective positions;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of an important part of anembodiment of operating devices of the side air bag system; and

FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C are schematic representations of individualconsecutive conditions during the triggering of the side air bag system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawing, the same parts or similar parts or parts acting in thesame or similar manner are provided with the same reference numbers inall figures. Therefore these parts or combinations and their functionsare clear to the person skilled in the art even in representations forwhich not all such parts or combinations or their functions aredescribed in detail. In various embodiments, different reference numbersare also used for the same parts or similarly acting parts orcombinations, without indicating different functions of these parts orcombinations, as easily recognized by the person skilled in the art. Inaddition, the person skilled in the art can find additional details inthe individual illustrations and representations of the drawing andparticularly also by a comparison of different figures, although thesewere not indicated and/or described separately.

The following description of the drawing is also based on general partsand various details of air bags, tensioning devices and motor vehicleseats, as they are illustrated and described in the German patentapplications indicated in the introductory part and are therefore fullyincluded in the disclosure content of the present documents.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are each lateral views of a motor vehicle seat 1 which isprovided with a side air bag system, generally having the referencenumber 2. The side air bag system 2 contains an air bag 3 which, in FIG.1, is in its folded position A inside an accommodation space 4 in a sidearea 5 of the motor vehicle seat 1, and in FIG. 2 is illustrated in itsprotective position B, in which its cushion-type design and triangularshape 3' can easily be recognized. The motor vehicle seat 1 generallycontains a seat element 6 and a backrest element 7, in which case thesides of the triangular shape 3' of the cushion-type air bag 3 extend asfollows in its protective position B: The side 3a extends along thebackrest element 7; the side 3b extends along the seat element 6; andthe side 3c extends from the backrest element 7 diagonally downward tothe seat element 6.

The accommodation space 4 is arranged such that it extends in the seatelement 6 as well as in the backrest element 7 and has an angular shapecorresponding to the angle enclosed between the latter (see FIG. 1).Normally, that is, when the side air bag system 2 is not triggered, theaccommodation space 4, which is open on the side 5 of the motor vehicleseat 1, is covered by means of a covering (not shown). Instead of thecovering, it may also be provided that, when the side air bag system 2is not triggered, the accommodation space 4 is hidden under the seatcovering 8 of the motor vehicle seat 1 which exists anyhow and has, forexample, tear seams or desired tear lines corresponding to the opening 9of the accommodation space 4 on the side of the motor vehicle seat 1.

Such a motor vehicle seat 1 is used in a vehicle which, for example, hascrash sensors, by which a collision of the vehicle is detected, whichleads to the triggering of the side air bag system 2 optionally by wayof corresponding controls. In the process, gas is supplied to the airbag 3, which is still folded inside the accommodation space 4, from afilling device 10 (see, for example, FIG. 3 and the description below),until the air bag 3 is tautly inflated and takes up its protectiveposition B (FIG. 2). In this protective position B, the air bag 3 is toprotect an occupant (not shown) from a hard lateral contact either withthe vehicle body deforming inward as the result of a side impact or alarger object penetrating laterally into the vehicle.

The side air bag system 2 may have seat occupation detection determiningthe triggering of the air bag (which will not be described here indetail because it is not part of the core of the present invention). Itmay also be provided that a defined time after the start of theinflating, the air bag releases the contained gas again and relaxes inorder to permit an unimpaired access to the corresponding occupant fromthe side of the vehicle, for example, for rescue measures or to permitan easy leaving of the vehicle for the occupant or his removal therefromafter the accident. Controls suitable for this purpose also do notconcern the essence of the invention and are therefore not discussed indetail.

The version illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a so-called thorax air bagwhich with respect to its size, shape and position is designed forprotecting an occupant's thorax from a hard impact. Corresponding tothis endeavored effect, the air bag 3 extends in its protective positionB (FIG. 2) approximately from the shoulder or chest area to the thigh orknee area of an occupant sitting in the motor vehicle seat 1, as afunction of his body size. For this purpose, the air bag 3 is, on theone side, fastened to the backrest element 7, for example, by means of ascrew 11 or another backrest fastening device and, on the other side,has another connection 12 with the seat element 6 which connection maybe fixed or displaceable, as will be explained later in detail.

It should be noted that optionally also the position of the fastening ofthe air bag 3 to the backrest element 7 may be adjustable particularlycorresponding to the occupant's body size, as, for example, analogouslyto the height adjustment of a seat belt or may even be coupledtherewith. In addition, the air bag may also take up a protectiveposition (not shown), for example, between a headrest (not shown) andthe backrest element 7, in order to correspondingly protect anoccupant's head. In addition, without limitations, air bags may also beprovided on both sides of the motor vehicle seat 1 for protecting anoccupant's thorax and/or head. Furthermore, the invention, to the extentthat it relates to the side air bag system 2, is not limited to theaccommodation of the air bag/air bags in the motor vehicle seat 1.Basically, a side air bag of a side air bag system 2 according to theinvention may also be accommodated on the vehicle body side, as, forexample, for occupants sitting in the front, in the area of an A-columnand of a roof section which adjoins it relative to the normal drivingdirection toward the rear, or between this roof section and the B-columnsituated behind it in the driving direction.

It is important for the side air bag system 2 according to the inventionthat it contains a supporting strap 13 which extends along the air bag 3and which is tensioned by the triggering of the side air bag system 2and is coupled with the air bag 3 such that the tensioning supportingstrap 13 pulls the air bag 3 into its protective position B or generallypushes it. In the embodiment of the side air bag system 2 illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2, the supporting strap 13 which, because of its functioncan also be called a tensioning strap, extends along the whole length ofthe air bag 3 inside the latter. As mentioned above, the tensioningstrap 13 is fixed together with the air bag 3 on the backrest element 7.At the connection 12 of the air bag 3 with the seat element 6, thesupporting strap 13 is guided out of the air bag 3 to a tensioningdevice 14 (see, for example, FIG. 3 and description thereof below). Thetensioning device 14 of the supporting strap 13 and the filling device10 of the (see, for example, Fig, 3) air bag 3 are components ofoperating devices 15 (see, for example, FIG. 3).

In its end area 16, which faces the connection 12 of the air bag 3 withthe seat element 6, the supporting strap 13 consists of a steel rope 17,because the operating devices contain pyrotechnical energy accumulators18 (see FIG. 3 and description thereof below), whose triggering resultsin correspondingly high temperatures which the supporting strap 13 mustwithstand. It is therefore generally only important that the supportingstrap 13, to the extent that it is within the sphere of influence of theoperating devices 15 (see, for example, FIG. 3), according to thematerial, is constructed corresponding to the physical conditions whichresult from the triggering of the energy accumulators 18. For example,all sufficiently extension-resistant materials are suitable which areresistant to high gas temperatures which may occur in the operatingdevices 15. At least in the area of the supporting strap 13, in whichthe latter may come in contact with the occupant, such a rope-typedevelopment of the supporting strap 13 would represent an injurypotential so that, in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the supportingstrap 13, to the extent that it is situated within the air bag 3,consists of a woven fabric strap 19. Preferably the width of the wovenfabric strap 19 is in the range of approximately 10% to approximately90%, particularly of approximately 20% to approximately 60% andparticularly preferably of approximately 25% to approximately 40%, thatis, at approximately one third to one fourth of the diameter of the airbag 3.

The operating devices 15 (see, for example, FIG. 3 and the descriptionbelow) are housed in a tube or cylinder 20, which is arranged, forexample, transversely to the driving direction under the motor vehicleseat 1, for example, connected with its structure (not shown) or avehicle structure (not shown). However, since, at least with respect toits tendency, the supporting strap 13 in the protective position extendsin the vehicle driving direction, a deflection 22 is required as a guidefor the supporting strap 13 and the filling gas of the air bag 3, inorder to guide the supporting strap 13 and the filling gas out of thecylinder 20 of the operating devices 15 into the air bag 3. So that thedifferent course of the supporting strap 13 close to the operatingdevices 15, on the one hand, can be adjusted within the accommodationspace 4 corresponding to the folded position A of the air bag at leastessentially horizontally and, on the other hand, can be adjusted in theprotective position B at an angle thereto without any problem, at itsoutlet (not visible), the deflection 22 for the supporting rope 13 canbe swivelled about the axis of the cylinder 20, which is easilyrecognizable by comparing FIGS. 1 and 2.

As an alternative to the housing of the cylinder 20 transversely to thedriving direction, which has the advantage that it offers an additionalreinforcement against a side impact, the cylinder may, for example, alsoextend in the driving direction and may particularly be housed in a toprail (not shown) of the motor vehicle seat 1 or at least a portion ofthis top rail, whereby a reinforcement is then achieved in thelongitudinal direction of the vehicle. With respect to the latterembodiments, reference is made particularly to the German PatentApplication DE 197 38 727.6 with the title "Motor Vehicle Seat, Processfor its Manufacturing, Use of a Top Rail of a Motor Vehicle Seat andOperating Process of at Least One Safety Function of a Motor VehicleSeat", which represents an additional application to the German PatentApplication DE 197 07 998.9. Correspondingly, the contents of the GermanPatent Application DE 197 07 998.9 and the above-mentioned additionalapplication are fully included in the present disclosure content.

As indicated in the previous description of the embodiment illustratedin FIGS. 1 and 2, the supporting strap 13 consisting of the steel rope17 and the woven fabric strap 19, together with the air bag 3, arehoused in its folded or storage position A, inside the accommodationspace 4 in the lateral area 5 of the motor vehicle seat 1, for example,under coverings (not shown) or behind tear seams (not shown) of the seatcover 8. In the event of a side impact or side crash, in a conventionalmanner, for example, a propelling charge container contained in theoperating devices 15, as an energy accumulator 18 (see, for example FIG.3 and the description below), is electrically ignited and inflates theair bag 3 which, as the result of the gas filling, presses awaycoverings existing above the accommodation space 4 or causes tear seamsof the seat cover 8 to burst open and is then tensioned between thebackrest element 7 and the seat element 6.

The tensioning strap 13 guided through the tube-type or hose-type airbag 3, by way of its steel rope 17, is connected, for example,analogously to the technique used in the case of belt tighteners, with apiston 24, which is a part of driving devices (see, for example, FIG. 3and the description below), which are contained in the operating devices15.

The gas which is released from the, or by, the energy accumulator 18 andwhich is used for filling the air bag 3, in the case of the presentembodiment, is used simultaneously for the action upon the piston 24(see, for example, FIG. 3) within the cylinder 20 in the direction of atensioning of the supporting strap 13. As the result, the latter ispulled into the cylinder 20 which is mounted longitudinally orpreferably transversely to the driving direction in, on or under theseat 1, until it is tensioned between the screw 11 or generally thebackrest connection for the joint fastening of the air bag 3 and thesupporting strap 13 on the backrest element 7 and of the connection 12of the air bag 3 on the seat element 6. In the corresponding position,the piston 24 is blocked or locked, for example, by means of a ballclamping brake 26 against a backward movement or otherwise. If acounterload occurs during the tensioning of the supporting rope 13, theblocking or locking takes place in the position of the piston 24 whichhas been reached so far.

At the inlet side of the supporting rope 13 into the cylinder 20, theair bag 3 is gas-tightly connected with the latter, for example, bymeans of a hose clip 28.

By means of this motor vehicle seat 1, several advantages are achievedwith respect to previously known seats, in the case of which the airbags of the air bag systems act only as cushions, as, for example, inthe case of the seat according to German Patent Document DE 44 36 139C1. Since, in the case of the known seat, the "blow-in space" is quitenarrow, the shock absorption effect of the air bag is low. In addition,an occupant cannot be held by the air bag in the conventional motorvehicle seat if, for example, a lateral shock takes place onto the seat;that is, that, despite the shock, the occupant remains in his positionand the seat is knocked away from under him by the shock.

In contrast, in the case of the motor vehicle seat 1 according to theinvention, advantageously, as indicated above, by means of thetensioning or pulling-up of the supporting strap 13, while the air bag 3is still at least partially folded, that is, not yet completelyinflated, the latter can be guided through the smallest spaces and canbe brought into its protective or operating position B, even if the"blow-in space" is very narrow. As a further advantage, it is achievedthat, in the inflated condition, thus in its protective position B, bymeans of the reinforcement which is achieved by the tensioned supportingstrap 13, the air bag 3 holds the occupant in the seat 1 and does notlet him slide "against" the accident. If the motor vehicle seat 1according to the invention experiences a lateral shock, it takes alongthe occupant and, as a result, moves him away from the accident.Furthermore, by means of the tensioning of the supporting strap 13, abracing of the backrest element 7 is achieved, whereby the occupantreceives a momentum in the sense of a movement of his head toward theinterior, whereby the occupant will then also face away from theaccident. The latter advantageously counteracts a worn conventionalthree-point seat belt, which, because of the guiding of the belt overthe outer shoulder, causes a momentum of the occupant's head toward theoutside to the accident. This negative effect is counteracted by thetensioning of the supporting strap 13 and by the supporting strap 13itself.

However, when a motor vehicle seat 1 is equipped correspondingly, theinvention not only achieves an improvement with respect to conventionalseats, but in the case of the present motor vehicle seat 1, thetensioned supporting strap 13 also causes a stabilizing of the backrestelement 7 in the event of a rear collision. On the other hand, thisincreased stability of the seat by the supporting strap 13 could also beutilized for savings with respect to the framework of the seat.

If, as suggested above, a motor vehicle seat 1 is equipped on bothsides, on the left and on the right, with an air bag supporting strapcombination according to the invention, which can, for example,advantageously be operated by a double-piston operating device, thisresults in an optimal holding of the occupant in the seat during anylateral impact, irrespective of its direction. In addition, the seatbackrest is braced and stabilized by the tensioned supporting straps 13on both sides so that, also in the event of a rear impact, maximalsafety is ensured.

With reference to FIGS. 3 as well as 4A, 4B and 4C, embodiments of theoperating devices 15 will now be explained in detail, whereby furthercharacteristics are easily provided to the person skilled in the art byall representations themselves as well as by comparative considerationsthereof and by the content of the corresponding following explanations,even if every single figure does not show and/or indicate allcharacteristics and/or not all characteristics are indicated in thisdescription.

FIG. 3 is a partial longitudinal sectional representation of a cylinder20 of the operating devices 15 with the opening 27 for guiding throughthe supporting strap 13 and for connecting the air bag 3. A propellingcharge container 23 is inserted in the cylinder 20 and contains a gasgenerator 29 or gas storage device as the filling device 10 for the airbag 3 as well as an energy accumulator 18 for the driving devices 25with the piston 24. The energy accumulator 18 and the driving devices 25represent a tensioning device 14 for the supporting rope 13.

An electrically ignitable cartridge 31 is disposed in the propellingcharge container 23 whose ignition can release gas contained, forexample, in the energy accumulator 18 under pressure which, gas, bymeans of its pressure, drives the piston 24 for tensioning thesupporting rope 13 if the energy accumulator 18 is further developed asa gas storage device. If, in contrast, as in the example, illustrated inFIG. 3, the energy accumulator 18 is a gas generator 29, as the resultof the ignition of the cartridge 31, material contained in the energyaccumulator 18 is burnt for generating gas or is exploded.

The effect of the ball clamping brake 26 illustrated in FIG. 3 for thepiston 24 was explained above so that it does not have to be discussedhere or later. Since, in the case of the operating devices 15, generallytechniques can be used as they are used, for example, in the case ofbelt tighteners or frontal air bags or other correspondingly operatedsafety devices in a motor vehicle, reference is made in this respect tothe older patent applications mentioned here, particularly to those ofthe present applicant.

By means of FIG. 4, the time sequence of the tensioning of thesupporting strap 13, on the one hand, and of the filling of the air bag3, on the other hand, will now be explained.

The ignition of the cartridge 31, on the one hand, acts upon the piston24 for tightening the supporting strap 13 and, on the other hand,ignition gas or an ignition flame flows from the cartridge 31 through ahole 32 which is centrically arranged in a closing piston 33 which issituated between the energy accumulator 18 and the gas generator 29within the propelling charge container 23. Also, in a manner alignedwith the closing piston 33, holes 34 are provided in a closing bush 35in the gas generator 29. The closing piston 33 and the closing bush 35are arranged and dimensioned such that a passing-through of ignition gasor of an ignition flame from the cartridge 31 through the hole 32 in theclosing piston 33 and further through the holes 34 in the closing bush35 to the gas generator 29 can take place only as long as the closingpiston 33 is not tightly disposed in the closing bush 35.

Since the energy accumulator 18, which is ignited by means of thecartridge 31, provides a high-pressure level, the latter always reliablypushes the closing piston 33 into the closing bush 35, in which case,suitable devices, such as a filigree ring 36, for example, made ofplastic, can be inserted between the closing piston 33 and the gasgenerator 29 in order to require a predetermined force before the highpressure level can move the closing piston 33 toward the gas generator29 and thus toward the closing bush 35. The ring 36 is broken by thehigh pressure level created during the ignition of the energyaccumulator 18.

The low-pressure level generated by the ignition of the gas generator 29on the side of the closing bush 35 facing away from the closing piston33 cannot prevent the corresponding movement of the closing piston 33.As the result of the conical construction of the closing piston 33, thisclosing piston 33 will be jammed in its end position in the closing bush35 so that the passage through the hole 32 and the holes 34 is reliablyprevented. As a result, it can be excluded that pressure gas can flowfrom the high-pressure side into the air bag 3.

The controlling of the sequence of the tensioning of the supporting rope13, on the one hand, and of the filling of the air bag, on the otherhand, therefore takes place by the movement of the closing piston 33which, for example, may be constructed as a one-piece shaped-out sectionof a membrane which, in FIG. 3, moves toward the right as the result ofthe pressure in the high-pressure chamber.

In FIG. 3, the pressure of the ignited low-pressure side pushes the, forexample, thimble-shaped closing piston 33 toward the right so that theignition gas passage holes 32 and 34 are closed. For securing thecondition "ignition holes OPEN", for example, the filigree ring 36 made,for example, of plastic, is inserted and is broken by the pressureoccurring during the ignition.

FIG. 3 shows an appropriately shaped membrane provided with flow-throughholes which is constructed such that the ignition gas flows through theholes and that, at a higher pressure on the left side of the propellingcharge container, the membrane, by means of its molded-on cone,automatically closes the central hole of the low-pressure side at acorresponding cone angle.

For example, conical embodiments can also be used for closing thepressure gas passage from the high-pressure to the low pressure side. Inaddition, it is possible to use, for example, an additional return platein the event that the high pressure may be reduced faster than the lowpressure and a flowing-out of the latter is to be prevented.

The operation according to the invention is, for example, as follows:During the bracing, for example, of a thorax bag 3, for example,approximately 300 bar are required, for example, from a pyrotechnicalpropelling charge container as an energy accumulator for effectivelymoving the piston 24. In contrast, for the inflating of the bag 3, forexample, no more than 100 bar should be required so that no more than 1bar occurs in the bag. Within the scope of the invention, this isachieved, for example, by a conventional, particularly electricallyignitable propelling charge container 18, whose ignition advantageously,for example, through corresponding holes 32, 34, ignites through fromthe high-pressure chamber to the low-pressure chamber. In the case ofsuch an embodiment, such ignition holes 32, 34 must then be closedimmediately.

Since the gas generator 29 is therefore ignited only after the actionupon the piston 24 by the cartridge 31 activating or triggering theenergy accumulator 18, it is automatically achieved that the tensioningof the supporting strap 13 will start before the inflating of the airbag 3 begins. As the result, the air bag 3 is brought into itsprotective position B (FIG. 2) by the supporting strap 13 before it iscompletely inflated.

FIG. 4A illustrates the starting condition before a triggering of a sideair bag system 2. By the triggering of the energy accumulator 18 (FIG.3), the piston 24 is acted upon so that it moves according to the arrow40 in FIG. 4B. As the result, the supporting strap 13 fastened to thepiston 24 is pulled according to the arrow 41 in FIG. 4B. Since thedeflection 22 is rotatable, as indicated by the arrow 42 in FIG. 4A, bypulling the supporting rope 13 taut, the air bag 3 at first situated inits folded position B (compare FIG. 1) in the seat 1 can be pulled out,so that its side 3C extends between the backrest element 7 and the seatelement 6 of the seat 1. In this case, the deflection 22 swivelsupwards, as indicated by the arrow 44 in FIG. 4B.

By the ignition of the energy accumulator 18, the gas generator 29 isalso ignited, which will then generate gas for filling the air bag 3,which gas flows according to the arrows 45, 46 and 47 in FIG. 4C intothe air bag 3. A flowing-out of this gas into the tube 20 toward thepiston 24 is prevented by suitable valve devices, such as the closingpiston 33 and the closing bush 35 with the holes 32 and 34. The closingof the valve devices is symbolized by the arrow 48 in FIG. 4C. Inaddition, it is shown in FIG. 4C by the blocked-off representation ofthe arrow 49 that a return motion of the piston 24 is blocked, which canbe implemented, for example, by means of a ball clamping brake 26, whichwas explained above. Preferably, such a block is released again after apredetermined or predefinable time period.

The controlling of the triggering sequence of the tensioning of thesupporting or tensioning rope 13 and the filling of the air bag 3 cantherefore be implemented in the case of separate devices for therespective operation--that is, the energy accumulator 18 for thetensioning of the supporting rope 13 and the gas generator 29 for thefilling of the air bag 3 are separate--, in a particularly skillfulmanner by means of suitable valve devices. In practice, this may becalled a pyrotechnical two-pressure level propelling charge containerwhich is used as the operating device 15.

The invention provides an improved side air bag system as well as acorresponding operating process therefor and a motor vehicle seattherefor. As illustrated particularly in the embodiments, acushion-shaped air bag is preferred. The inflating of such an air bagnormally requires at least 20 ms. During this time, the space between avehicle body and an occupant has become very narrow in the event of animpact from the outside. An air bag which is not positioned in time canonly still be used as an impact cushion for distributing the load. Bymeans of the tensioning or supporting rope, the invention positions theair bag within half that time. Preferably, the air bag is alreadyinflated in the process. Since, as the result of the tensioned strap, itis already in position, during the further inflating, it presses theoccupant actively away from the accident. In addition, a rotation of theoccupant takes place by the one-sided seat backrest stabilized on theoutside, also away from the accident.

In particular, it should be pointed out that, in the case of a so-calledpyrotechnical two-pressure-level propelling charge container as theoperating device 15, many types of valves are conceivable and arecontained within the scope of the invention, which first permit, forexample, a pyrotechnical ignition from the high-pressure side to thelow-pressure side or leave the corresponding chambers in the tube 20closed. For example, after the ignition of the gas generator has takenplace, by means of its pressure buildup or gas pressure, correspondingpassages can be closed between the two sides by means of suitablevalve-type devices so that then each side can optimally carry out itsfunction and also carries it out if it is triggered.

Although the invention was discussed in the realm of the side air bagsystem 2 within the scope of the embodiments only by means of itsapplication to a motor vehicle seat 1, such a side air bag system 2 canalso be used in the case of other seats, for example, in boats,airplanes or rail vehicles, in which case, the holding effect of the airbag 3 with the tensioning or supporting strap 13 is particularlyadvantageous in the fields of navigation and aviation. Thus, a pressuredrop in airplane which may be caused by a leakage may lead to thetriggering of the side air bag system 2, whereby the air bag 3 with thetensioning or supporting strap 13 provides another holding device for aperson in his seat, possibly in addition to the seat belt, andsimultaneously serves as a cushion and a protection. As a cushion, whichcan be stored in a space-saving and weight-saving manner, the air bag 3prevents with respect to the supporting strap 13, an injury caused bythe latter. Also in the case of boats, such as racing boats, it may beadvantageous that, in the event of an accident, the occupants are heldin their seats as firmly as possible but can still be released fast andare simultaneously protected from the effects of a hard impact. The sideair bag system 2 according to the invention is therefore not limited tothe use in motor vehicles, and within the scope of the invention, theclaimed motor vehicle seat, on the whole, should be understood as a seatif a person sitting in it can be protected by the side air bag system 2according to the invention.

The above-mentioned characteristics and combinations of characteristicsof all discussed embodiments which are illustrated in the drawings areused only as examples for explaining the invention and are not used forlimiting it. The disclosure content of all present documents isdetermined by what the person skilled in the art can easily recognize inthe claims but also in the description and in the drawing, includingvariations, modifications and substitutions as well as, in particular,the complete contents of the introductory part of the specification inconnection with the discussion of the coupling of the supporting strapwith the operating devices.

I claim:
 1. A side air bag system, comprising:a seat having a back restelement and a seat element; at least one inflatable air bag arranged inthe seat in an uninflated state; a supporting strap coupled with the airbag, one end being secured to the backrest element; operating devicesfor tensioning the supporting strap and inflating the air bag into aprotective position, another end of the supporting strap being coupledto one of the operating devices; wherein the supporting strap pulls theair bag out of a folded position in the seat and into a protectiveposition when tensioned, said tensioning of the supporting straprestraining lateral movement of a seat occupant while allowing the airbag to inflate in the protective position.
 2. The side air bag systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the air bag is designed to have acushion-shape which extends in the protective position between thebackrest element and the seat element.
 3. The side air bag systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the air bag has a substantially triangularshape such that, in the protective position, a first side fits along thebackrest element, a second side fits along the seat element and a thirdside extends between the backrest element and the seat element.
 4. Theside air bag system according to claim 2, wherein the cushion-shape issubstantially triangular such that a first side fits along the backrestelement, a second side fits along the seat element and a third sideextends between the backrest element and the seat element.
 5. The sideair bag system according to claim 1, wherein the supporting strap issituated in one of an interior of the air bag and in a guide assigned toan outer cover of the air bag, and further wherein the supporting strapis one of connected at least in sections with the outer cover of the airbag and constructed integrally with the air bag.
 6. The side air bagsystem according to claim 1, wherein the operating devices tension thesupporting strap at least partially before inflation of the air bagbegins.
 7. The side air bag system according to claim 1, wherein theoperating devices are designed to inflate the air bag during thetensioning of the supporting strap.
 8. The side air bag system accordingto claim 7, wherein the operating devices inflate the air bag beginningsimultaneously with the tensioning of the supporting strap.
 9. The sideair bag system according to claim 1, wherein the operating devicescomprise a tensioning device for the supporting strap and a fillingdevice for the air bag, the tensioning device and the filling devicebeing coupled and interacting with one another.
 10. The side air bagsystem according to claim 9, wherein the filling device comprises atleast one of a gas generator and a gas storage device.
 11. The side airbag system according to claim 9, wherein the tensioning device comprisesat least one energy accumulator and driving devices which can be actedupon by the energy accumulator for tensioning the supporting strap, andfurther wherein the driving devices contain a releasable return stopwhich, with respect to triggering of the operating devices,automatically releases in a time-delayed manner.
 12. The side air bagsystem according to claim 10, wherein the tensioning device comprises atleast one energy accumulator and driving devices which can be acted uponby the energy accumulator for tensioning the supporting strap, andfurther wherein the driving devices contain a releasable return stopwhich, with respect to triggering of the operating devices,automatically releases in a time-delayed manner.
 13. The side air bagsystem according to claim 10, wherein the gas generator and/or the gasstorage device of the filling device is at least part of an energyaccumulator of the tensioning device.
 14. The side air bag systemaccording to claim 11, wherein the energy accumulator of the tensioningdevice is at least a part of the gas generator and/or the gas storagedevice of the filling device.
 15. The side air bag system according toclaim 10, wherein the air bag is connected in a gas-tight manner withone of the gas generator and the gas storage device.
 16. The side airbag system according to claim 11, wherein the air bag is connected in agas-tight manner with one of the gas generator and the gas storagedevice, and further wherein the supporting strap is permanently coupledto the driving devices.
 17. The side air bag system according to claim11, wherein a permanent coupling of the supporting strap to the drivingdevices occurs automatically upon triggering.
 18. The side air bagsystem according to claim 16, wherein the driving devices comprise apiston acted upon by the energy accumulator and to which the supportingstrap is coupled.
 19. The side air bag system according to claim 18,wherein the supporting strap is coupled to the piston automatically bythe triggering of the driving devices.
 20. The side air bag systemaccording to claim 10, wherein one of the gas generators and the gasstorage device of the filling device is pyrotechnically activatable. 21.The side air bag system according to claim 11, wherein the energyaccumulator of the tensioning device is pytrotechnically activatable.22. The side air bag system according to claim 10, wherein one of thegas generator and the gas storage device of the filling device has amulti-stage design.
 23. The side air bag system according to claim 11,wherein the energy accumulator of the tensioning device has amulti-stage design.
 24. The side air bag system according to claim 10,wherein one of the gas generator and the gas storage device of thefilling device is electrically triggerable.
 25. The side air bag systemaccording to claim 24, wherein at least a first stage of the gasgenerator and/or the gas storage device of the filling device iselectrically triggerable.
 26. The side air bag system according to claim11, wherein the energy accumulator of the tensioning device iselectrically triggerable.
 27. The side air bag system according to claim16, wherein at least a first stage of the energy accumulator of thetensioning device is electrically triggerable.
 28. The side air bagsystem according to claim 22, wherein at least a second stage of the gasgenerator and/or the gas storage device of the filling device ismechanically triggerable.
 29. The side air bag system according to claim23, wherein at least a second stage of the energy accumulator of thetensioning device is mechanically triggerable.
 30. The side air bagsystem according to claim 24, wherein at least a second stage of the gasgenerator and/or the gas storage device of the filling device ismechanically triggerable.
 31. The side air bag system according to claim26, wherein at least a second stage of the energy accumulator of thetensioning device is mechanically triggerable.
 32. The side air bagsystem according to claim 24, wherein at least mechanically, portions ofthe triggering system are provided twice and can be acted uponsimultaneously but independently of one another.
 33. The side air bagsystem according to claim 26, wherein at least mechanically, portions ofthe triggering system are provided twice and can be acted uponsimultaneously but independently of one another.
 34. The side air bagsystem according to claim 28, wherein at least mechanically, portions ofthe triggering system are provided twice and can be acted uponsimultaneously but independently of one another.
 35. The side air bagsystem according to claim 29, wherein at least mechanically, portions ofthe triggering system are provided twice and can be acted uponsimultaneously but independently of one another.
 36. The side air bagsystem according to claim 30, wherein at least mechanically, portions ofthe triggering system are provided twice and can be acted uponsimultaneously but independently of one another.
 37. The side air bagsystem according to claim 1, wherein on an end assigned to the operatingdevices, the supporting strap is formed by a material resistant tooperating temperatures in the operating devices.
 38. The side air bagsystem according to claim 1, wherein the supporting strap has, at leastin an area of the air bag situated in the protective position, a widthwhich is significantly larger than its thickness, and further whereinthe width of the supporting strap is in a range of approximately 10% toapproximately 90% of a diameter of the air bag.
 39. The side air bagsystem according to claim 38, wherein the width of the supporting strapis in the range of approximately 20% to approximately 60% of a diameterof the air bag.
 40. The side air bag system according to claim 38,wherein the width of the supporting strap is in the range ofapproximately 25% to approximately 40% of a diameter of the air bag. 41.The side air bag system according to claim 1, further comprising two airbags coupled with pertaining supporting straps for use on both sides ofan occupant, wherein the two air bags are operated via a common one ofthe operating devices.
 42. The side air bag system according to claim 1,wherein, before triggering, the air bag and the supporting strap arearranged in an angular accommodation space designed such that, in theprotective position, they span an angle formed by the angularaccommodation space.
 43. A process for operating a side air bag systemhaving at least one inflatable air bag, a supporting strap tensionablein an area of the inflatable air bag, and operating devices forinflating the air bag and tensioning the supporting strap into a finalprotective position, the process comprising the acts of:triggering theside air bag system; restraining lateral movement of a seat occupant bytensioning a supporting strap for the air bag upon triggering the sideair bag system; inflating the air bag; and supporting the inflating ofthe air bag such that it unfolds from a folded condition into an atleast essentially unfolded condition by the tensioning of the supportingstrap.
 44. The process according to claim 43, further comprising the actof, after triggering the side air bag system, stretching the supportingstrap before beginning to inflate the air bag.
 45. The process accordingto claim 44, wherein the stretching of the supporting strap and theinflating of the air bag are started at least substantiallysimultaneously after triggering the side air bag system.
 46. A motorvehicle seat, comprising:a seat element and a backrest; a side air bagsystem having at least one air bag inflatable via at least one operatingdevice, said side air bag in its folded condition being arranged in anangular accommodation space extending on one side of the motor vehicleseat over the seat element and the backrest element, wherein in aninflated condition, the air bag extends in a protective position betweenthe seat element and the backrest element, a supporting strap arrangedalong the air bag, said supporting strap being tensionable in an area ofthe inflated air bag and being coupled with the air bag such that thetensioning strap pushes the air bag into the protective position,wherein the supporting strap together with the folded air bag isarranged in the angular accommodation space, and further wherein the atleast one operating device during the triggering of the air bag isdesigned to act upon the supporting strap in order to tension thesupporting strap into the protective position, wherein the tensioning ofthe supporting strap restrains lateral movement of a seat occupant whilepulling the air bag into the protective position.
 47. The motor vehicleseat according to claim 46, further comprising at least one of acovering and tear seams provided in the accommodation space, wherein theair bag and the supporting strap, before triggering, are situated behindthe covering or the tear seams.
 48. The motor vehicle seat according toclaim 46, wherein the operating devices are arranged below the seatelement in a driving direction.
 49. The motor vehicle seat according toclaim 48, wherein the operating devices are arranged transversely to thedriving direction and are reinforcingly connected with one of a seatstructure and a vehicle structure.
 50. The motor vehicle seat accordingto claim 46, further comprising at least two air bags, one air bag andits assigned supporting strap being provided on each side of the motorvehicle seat.
 51. The motor vehicle seat according to claim 49, whereinthe two air bags are acted upon jointly by a single operating device.52. The motor vehicle seat according to claim 46, further comprisingcompensating devices for coupling at least one of the supporting strapand the air bag to the operating devices.
 53. The motor vehicle seataccording to claim 46, wherein at least one of the supporting strap andthe air bag are coupled to the operating devices when the side air bagsystem is triggered.
 54. The motor vehicle seat according to claim 46,wherein the air bag has a substantially triangular shape, such that inthe protective position a first side fits along the backrest element, asecond side fits along the seat element, and a third side extendsbetween the backrest element and the seat element.